Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – January 29, 2026

The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met on January 29, 2026, to discuss and act on several items including convention center modernization, emergency contracts, dam safety design services, and an annual transportation department update. The meeting featured public testimony on a range of topics, including housing, cannabis policy, traffic safety, and labor agreements. Key votes included approval of consent items, convention center funding, emergency contracts, and a split vote to send dam design contracts to full council without recommendation.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–5 were approved unanimously (3-0, with Councilmember Von Wilpert absent). Items included approval of committee minutes, extension of a sewer construction contract, a change order for emergency repairs, a contribution agreement with Chula Vista for a bridge, and extension of a contract for the University Avenue Mobility Project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Public Comment: Al Del Mastro, a disabled veteran and small landlord, expressed opposition to tenant protection laws, stating they burden mom-and-pop landlords. Andrea Ebbing alleged corruption and a RICO enterprise involving county and city officials, and requested records. Judy Strang urged more Vision Zero and drug-impaired driving awareness. Madison Rapp, a mother, cited rising cannabis hyperemesis syndrome among teens and urged critical thinking about dispensary locations near youth-friendly infrastructure. Kathleen Lippett criticized bike lanes as unsafe and called for stricter DUI enforcement.
• Consent Agenda: Andrea Ebbing attempted to speak but realized she was looking at the wrong agenda; no testimony was taken.
• Item 6 (Convention Center Modernization): Robert Gleason, chair of the San Diego County Lodging Association, expressed concern that Measure C funds were being used for deferred maintenance rather than expansion/modernization as intended. He requested an advisory committee for convention center funds. Blair Beekman supported upgrades but urged transparency.
• Item 7 (Management Agreement & PLA): Five speakers (Ansermio Estrada, Matthew Lebell representing San Diego Building Trades, Adrian Lopez of Roofers Local 45, Sean Ellis of UA Plumbers, and David Zapeta of Painters Local 1399) all spoke in support of the project labor agreement, citing local hire, skilled workforce, and family benefits. Jennifer Wilson registered support without speaking.
• Items 9 & 10 (Dam Safety & Design Services): Blair Beekman thanked the committee for previous discussions and supported the dam safety program.
• Item 11 (Transportation Update): Arya Grossman of Circulate San Diego thanked the department for including Vision Zero coalition priorities (fixing fatal intersections, speed management plan) and urged inclusion of daylighting funding; she noted the death of a child near a school. Anne Fage commented on urban forestry, urging increased funding for tree care and evaluation of palm trimming. Blair Beekman spoke on tech accountability for streetlights and Vision Zero.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Convention Center Modernization – Staff (Elif Chitin and Dominic Dowds) presented a request to create an annual allocation for modernization projects and approve a $21.4 million FY26 budget from Measure C revenues. They noted the facility is aging with a 0.035 FCI score, and $244 million in capital needs over 25 years. Councilmember Whitburn and Lee supported the motion, emphasizing the need to compete for conventions and address deferred maintenance. The motion passed 3-0.
• Item 7: Convention Center Management Agreement – Staff presented a third addendum to delegate CIP projects to the Convention Center Corporation and apply the city’s project labor agreement (PLA) to covered projects. Speakers supported the PLA. The motion passed 3-0.
• Item 8: Emergency Contracts Ratification – Staff presented 23 emergency sole source contracts totaling $68 million, mostly stormwater repairs. Councilmember Foster asked about permanent fixes and in-house crews. Councilmember Von Wilpert inquired about expanding in-house emergency repair crews; stormwater staff said it’s being considered through the budget process. The motion passed 4-0.
• Items 10 & 9: Dam Safety Update & Design Services Agreements – Staff gave a joint presentation on the dam safety program (11 dams, 2 water tanks, average age 93 years, six in fair/poor/unsatisfactory condition). They outlined a $3 billion long-term need, 62 assessments completed, and requested approval of two 10-year design service agreements with HDR and Stantec, each up to $75 million (later corrected to $55 million each). Councilmember Von Wilpert expressed concerns about Lake Hodges: residents fear fire risk from low water levels (mandated by DSOD) and want higher water levels for safety. She noted the county water authority will not share cost for replacement dam, and asked if design contracts would help raise water levels. Staff said interim risk reduction measures (costing $10–$50 million) are required by DSOD with construction start by 2029, and that raising levels is not allowed until repairs are made. Councilmember Foster questioned subcontractor participation goals, the “as needed” nature, and authority to enforce goals. He moved to send to full council without recommendation. Councilmember Lee seconded, noting the contracts are necessary to avoid DSOD penalties. The motion passed 3-1, with Councilmember Von Wilpert voting no.
• Item 11: Transportation Department Annual Update – Interim Director Naomi Chavez presented accomplishments (543 lane miles paved, 4,000+ trees planted, 100,000 service requests, new parking initiatives) and challenges (growing backlogs, budget cuts, need for $248 million to maintain pavement condition index). She outlined FY27 budget requests including a quick-build safety team, streetlight repair team, sidewalk repair team, bridge maintenance funding, tree planting, and enforcement of street preservation ordinance. Councilmembers praised efficiency and transparency. Councilmember Von Wilpert noted the department’s success despite challenges, and asked about charging for dig alert services; staff said a working group is exploring fee recovery. The item was informational; no vote required.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 1–5): Approved unanimously (3-0).
• Item 6 (Convention Center Modernization): Approved 3-0; $21.4 million FY26 budget and new CIP line item authorized.
• Item 7 (Management Agreement & PLA): Approved 3-0; third addendum executed, future CIPs designated as covered projects under PLA.
• Item 8 (Emergency Contracts): Approved 4-0; 23 contracts ratified.
• Item 9 (Dam Design Services): Motion to approve failed; substitute motion to send to full council without recommendation passed 3-1 (Von Wilpert opposed). Council will consider the two 10-year contracts (each up to $55 million) separately.
• Item 10 (Dam Safety Update): Received as information; no action required.
• Item 11 (Transportation Update): Received as information; budget requests to be considered in FY27 budget process.